Friends,

We have much to be thankful for.

Some hostages have been returned to their families, accompanied by the hope that more will follow in the next few days. Each of these reunions is a separate reason to be grateful.

We have witnessed shockingly open expressions of Jew hatred in many parts of the country, and at many college campuses. But not at Chapman -- another reason to be thankful. I believe we can point to particular reasons Chapman has fared better than many other institutions. But rather than bias your thinking, I just ask that you reflect on why Chapman, and actually many other institutions, have done well. It is not enough to worry about bad examples. We owe it to each other to think carefully about good examples like Chapman, to understand them, to learn from them.

Please indulge me in a few personal words (something I am not in the habit of asking, nor entirely comfortable exercising).

A few days ago, a colleague let me know they would not sign the letter, explaining disagreement with some of what it said. Of course. I almost never sign open letters either.  But what came next is bothering me still. The person asked whether I am Jewish with the clear insinuation that no one but a Jew would write such a letter. Don’t mistake me here. I’m not a victim. But this (surely a not-so-micro aggression in any other context) is another small example of why we must continue to stand again the antisemitism in our midst. 

The open letter Chapman Community against Antisemitism is likely to reach 500 signatures this weekend. Please continue to share it.